Fluid transmission system



Sept.l 6, 1949. l. lvl-:RSON l-:TAL 2,481,220

FLUID TRAN'SMISSION SYSTEM Filed March 15, 194s 3 sheets-sheet 1 3Sheets-Sheet 2 l. IVERSON ETAL FLUID TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Sept. 6, 1949.

Filed March 15, 1946 Sept. 6, 1949. IVERSON ET AI. 2,481,220

FLUID TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Filed March 15, 194e s sheets-sheet s 3,' ff/if Patented Sept. 6, .1949

FLUID TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Isedor Iverson and Simon M. Simonson,McGregor, Minn.

Application March 15, 1946, Serial No. 654,633

1 claim. l

This invention relates to a fluid transmission system, and moreparticularly to such a system for the driving of vehicles.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved fluiddrive system for vehicles, such as trucks, automobiles and the like,characterized by simplicity and smoothness in operation.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a systemand apparatus therefor, whereby the degree of power transmitted by thesystem may be readily varied at the will of the operator.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision-ofan improved reverse mechanism adapted to be utilized in conjunction withsuch a system.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a drivesystem for motor vehicles whereby the smoothness of operation,acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle will be materiallyenhanced.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangementsof parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fullypointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings,wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially through thecenter line of one of the drive units of the system, illustratively oneof those used in conjunction with the driving wheels.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2 2 ofFigure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views taken substantiallythrough the center line of the reverse unit for the system', and showingthe parts in different positions of adjustment.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 ofFigure 3, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the system showing itsrelation to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle.

Figure 8 is a schematic View showing the relation of certain of theparts of the system to the driving wheels of a vehicle as viewed fromthe side.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

summarizing the luiddrive system of the instant invention, it may herebe pointed out that the same is comprised of three substantiallyidentical fluid pumps or driving drums, one of which is mounted atasuitable intermediate portion of the vehicle and adapted to be powerdriven in any desired manner, and connected by means of suitableconduits and through a suitable control mechanism, to be more fullydescribed hereinafter, and additional conduits to the other two drums,one of which is connected to each rear wheel of the vehicle. Inasmuch asthe drums are substantially identical, with the exception of the wheelmounting, only one will be described in detail. -Y

Referring particularly now to Figures 1 and 2, there is generallyindicated at IIJ a driving drum adapted to be associated with one of therear wheels II of the vehicle. The drum is comprised of two side platesI2, one of which is provided with a boss I3 to which is secured, as bymeans of screws I4, the extremity of the rear axle I5 of the vehicle.

The side plates I2 are spaced apart by a hand or annulus I6 secured tothe side plates, as by screws I'I, the annulus being of dierentthickness throughout substantially half of its circumference, in orderthat the interior of the driving drum be of greater diameter throughoutsubstantially half of its extent. Mounted for rotation within thecentral aperture formed by the annulus I6 is a rotor I8 carried by anaxle I9 journaled in suitable bearings 2|] set in appropriate recessesin the side plates I2.

The rotor I8 is provided with a plurality of radially extending slots orapertures '25 extending substantially the full width thereof, and beingdiametrically opposed in pairs within which are mounted vanes 26 springpressed outwardly, as by springs 21, the opposite pairs being connected,as by rods 28 extending radially substantially through the center of thedevice.

It will thus be seen that when the rotor I8 is rotated in any suitablemanner, either in one instance by a suitable power drive, or in otherinstances by the pressure of uid upon the vanes 26 thereof, the vanes 26will, in accordance with the spring pressure exerted thereon, closelyengage the periphery of the annulus I6, being extended during theirpassage through the portion of the central chamber of greatercircumference, and retracted during their passage during that portion ofthe chamber of lesser circum-,

ference. Suitable pipes 30 and 3I provide inlet and outlet means forfluid through the device, the inlet and outlet being interchangeable ina manner tc be more fully described hereinafter, It

. 3 is to be noted that the pipes pass through the annulus I6 and openinto the central chamber of the driving drum at a point adjacent theline delineating the portion of greater circumference from that oflesser circumference.

All three of the drums previously mentioned are identical in so far asthe component parts previously described are concerned. However, in thecase of theldrurn'zpositioned centrallyfothe Vehicle, andfadapted toibepower -drivenin any desired manner, suitable power connections are madeto the central axle I9 in order to rotate the same to effect acirculation of fluid through the pipes and 3|.

However, in the case of the-drumsI-Iuasso-z hub 4 3, whihmay-berof, anyconventional design, and which. is 1- adapted-to carry thel` driving-wheel of the vehicle. The-hub 43 is mounted on suitable bearings@4v-carried Aby the boss 35. Thus,

it will be-seen -thartVz-when, theV central* rotor `I8 isdriven5inr-a--rnannerlto-be morelfully described hereinafter, the hub43,v is-correspondingly rotated, which in turn rotates'the drivingwheels I Ir of the vehicle.

Referring.:nwparticularlv'toFigures #and 8, I

it will be seenthatbothconduits-lead toa common conduit; 5,0, while bothconduits l 34 I flead to a commongconduit 5I.V Both`-lc`onduits50 and 5|communicatewitha reversefand brakingmechanism:Ygenerally;indicatedfat52.

The shifting mechanism 52 is bestdisvclosed in Figures 3gto 6,inclusive, .and ,icomprisesr an outer casing 53 l prefer-ablyV ofrectangilll'r-Vv cross-section andiprovided'fwithfa llergplugf and vent54 within which is positionedacylindricalitllbo .55. Slidablymounted'withinfthecylindricaljtube 55 is a second-cylinderI56ztogwhiohis secured a control rod -56 whichextends:toutwardlythrough theend ofv`the housing 5,3, @andfwhich Amaygbe movedA in any L desired rriannerYfrom anydesired remote f or adjacent-lcontrolipoint.

The conduitszand 5Lipass1through1the outer housing :53, andithe rcylindrical member 55 to communicate `withlthe interior of theIcylinder; 5,5, the uid therefro'mibeing'directedin varying paths in amanner lto be more :fully described hereinafter. spaced-between 'the.inlets of theY conduits 50 fand 5| is an aperture 5] extending4.through the walls of--the1'cylindrical -member-55,fand on oppositesides ofthe'ltwo conduitsadditional. apertures 58s'andi59rarealsosprovided. .The movable cylindrical memberf5'6;is1providedgwith Atwoguide- Ways "60 4.and 6I i ofrsuiiicient,` dimen'sionsrto` extendbetweenf any :two adj acentaapertures, .thatis, forv example, betweentheraperture "51. andinlet of condui-tf5'lb. as sho-wn inCFigurefB,orzbetween the aperturel'l fandlthe-inletvofconduit 5 I ,fas shownin'Figure 4, orasrindicated' inFigure "5 between conduit `v`5I) andaperture 58'` and conduit 5 I and aperture 59. Themembe'rsiand 6IA*serve'as guides for fluid, directingj the same :'between' theconnected apertures in jaA marmer and "fori a purpose to kbe more fully,pointed out'hereinafter.

The sldable cylinder? 56' is "provided, betweenthe members and 6I, withan aperture 62 adapted to register with certain associated apertures inthe cylindrical member 55, under various conditions, as will behereinafter described.

A main fluid inlet 63' leads from the primary or power driven drum orrotor through an end of the housing 53 and is Icentrally positioned todirect fluid therefrom interiorly of the cylindrical member55. Theiendcfthe's'lidable cylindrical member 56v is provided-with an aperture 64adapted to register with the inlet 63 and in alignment therewith.

V.A fluidoutlet is also provided and extends intothe housing 53exteriorly of the cylindrical lmembere,zthatis, between the member 55and :thefhousing 53.

Fromthefforegoing the operation of the device should now'beunderstandable. The main driving drumfonrotor I0 is driven at anydesired speed, and in any desired manner, as by means of a gasoline; or@an electric fengine.' comprising al :portion of; the vehicle.:Fromythefmaim driving rotor the conduit 63extendsintdthe'housing553f0rming -an inlet for the fmotive iiuid :of:the rsystem, which,` is preferably oil, valthough; other suitablefluids may befemployed if fdesired. -With the partsinjthepositionydisclosed in Figure 3, the position of the inner sleeve56 being controlled by the rod V156', it will be.seenfthatffluidffromthe inlet '63 passesthrough .theaperture 162 fintoAthe conduit 5 I land thence throughnthegy conduit 3 I nto the drivingvdrums.associatedwith 'the v'driving wheels of the vehicle. Thus, fluidenteringA the conduit 31,. asf'shownfin Figure (3, will .'rotate,through theyvanefs l26, therotorgl, inazclockwise direction (as seeninFigure 2),and correspondingly rotate the driving wheels, Whengthevanes26V reach the ,-=reduced circumferential ,fportion l of the interior ofthe `vdrum, Lthe fluidI willipass through the' conduits 30tozthecnduiti, 4thence into'the memberr, and throughathefapertureu] intothe space between the sleeve5f5andithehousing 53, and throughVthefoutlet'65 back to -the main driving rotor. vThefdirectionfof.fluidffiow throughout' the* system isindicatedzby thev arrows in*` allof :Figures 3; -4f andf..

-When it ris edesired to utilize the .fluid in Ithe system as afbrake,or:alternativelytoxreverse the direction of the drive, the inner-'sleeve56 is -adjusted toithe;positionfdisclosed1in Figure .4 -by means ofthecontrolrod 565. .1In1thisfinstan'ce fluid= entering: through,thenl`etn63 passes vthrough the. laperture f 64, and thencjenthroughthef-ap erture 62 f into the conduit 55 :and `rtl'rrough the conduits30iinto thezziriving drums, E11.. associatedwithithe wheels. Obviously,'the-massage Aof ifluid. in Ythis direction` will:reversezth'efdirection .of :rotationzof the rotor.; Iciby reverseactions on fthe fvane's .26;

and exitifrom thezdriving-drum'ssthroughthe con duit'l. .FromtheJcOniiuit 3Iathe-flu=id will-:pass through the. conduit 5Linto:.the"guide..member 6 I and thence .'outWardly-i'throughMthefr'aperture i151 into the space .between .thernemb'er fandithehousing 53, 'andfoutwardlyfthroughitheLoutletf-65.

Figurei5 discloses'.thelpositionf theap'para-tus in neutral ornon-drivingtposition .adapted to permit/continued 'drive'o'fthe-idrivingrotor withoutfalecting the rotorslassociated -withthe;wheels.v Underthe vconditions 'disclosed in Figure 5, uid

from the inlet,63 passes through the aperture64' and fdirectlytmoughtheapertures62 and, 51 into, the space betweenthe housing'5'3andthe cylinz drical ,member to lthe .outlet .65., Correspondingly, bothconduits 311i anlS'l ,serve as outlets,

fluid from the driving drums associated with the wheels passing into theconduitl 58 and through the member 60 and the aperture 58 to the outlet65, while fluid from the conduit 5l may pass through the member 6I andthe aperture 59 to the outlet. Under conditions of actual operation,however, the system will be balanced as the pressure of the fluid withinthe drums and the conduits 50 and 5l will serve merely to neutralize thepressure exerted by uid passing through the apertures 62 and 51 toprevent the entrance thereof through either aperture 58 or 59 and thenceto the driving drums.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved fluid drive for vehicles characterized by extreme simplicity ofoperation, as well as flexibility of control, and further by smoothnessin use and operation, which accomplishes al1 the objects of thisinvention, and others, including many advantages of great practicalutility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

In a fluid drive system including a reversible rotary fluid motor, afluid pump, a pair of conduits leading from opposite sides of said pump,and a second pair of conduits leading from opposite sides of said motor,the improvement comprising a control valve for said motor, said valvecomprising a hollow casing, a tubular sleeve concentrically carried bysaid casing inwardly thereof whereby to provide a space therearound, ahollow cylindrical slide slidable within said sleeve, one of saidfirst-named conduits being in direct com munication at all times withthe interior of said slide, the other of said first-named conduits beingin direct communication with said space at all times, said sleeve beingformed with first, second, third, fourth and fth ports therethrough inlongitudinal spaced alignment, said secondnamed pair of conduits beingin open communication with said second and fourth ports at all times,said slide being formed with a pair of inwardly-directed guides inlongitudinally-spaced alignment, said guides comprising bridgingchannels each adapted to span two of said ports to connect the same,said slide being formed with a port therethrough intermediate saidguides and in spaced alignment therewith, said last-named port beingadapted to be selectively registerable with said second, third andfourth ports of said sleeve with at least one of said guides bridging atleast one adjacent pair of said remaining ports, whereby to providerespectively forward, neutral and reverse positions of said slide, andmeans for moving said slide to a selected position.

ISEDOR IVERSON. S. M. SIMONSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain May 18,1922 Number Number

